December 20, 2021
Merry Christmas!
This week we finished the book of Exodus. We see that the Israelites finished building the tabernacle, and the priests were anointed. Remember from last week, one of the purposes of the tabernacle was that God wanted to dwell with His people. This was accomplished when the tabernacle was finished.
Then “the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle. In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out; but if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out – until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the LORD was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels (Exodus 40:34-37).
How does this relate to us today?
As we celebrate Christmas and the birth of Christ, this is very relevant. John 1:1-2 and John 1:14 say, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning…The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.”
The Word John is talking about is Jesus. Thus, Jesus was in the beginning, was with God and was God, and became flesh. He made his dwelling among us. The word dwelling has the same meaning as to dwell with the Israelites. Jesus was God in the flesh and came to earth to dwell amongst his people (John 1:16).
Christ not only lived among us, but he died for us so that we would have eternal life. He promised to give us the gift of the Holy Spirit if we believed in Him. Acts 2:38 states, “Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Once you receive the Holy Spirit, your body becomes a temple (permanent tabernacle) to the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is part of the trinity of God and after you become a Christian, it lives in you. This is mind blowing to me. 1 Corinthians 6:19 says, “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God?”
As we celebrate the birth of Christ, we can thank Him for dwelling among all people. We can thank Him that we no longer have to go to a tabernacle or temple, and bring animal sacrifices to atone for our sins. We can thank Him for his grace and truth. We can thank Him for dying on the cross for our sins and for giving us the Holy Spirit. We can thank Him for giving us access to Him at all times because He lives in us. We are not separated by a veil and we do not need someone to intercede for us.
Isaiah 9:6,7 “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.”
Have a very merry Christmas!
Next week we will read John 1-5. These are long chapters, so we will read fewer chapters.
Diving into the Bible 